This Idea Must Die: Scientific Theories That Are Blocking Progress (Edge Question Series)

An anthology of very short essays by various hands about terminology or processes that to the authors are hindering the further progress of the Sciences, Mathematics and some of the Social sciences. With so many writers, the work is very variable in quality, both in style and in thought. Overall, not to be read consistently but to be dipped into as a measure of anti-pompous works in a chosen field.

The question asked is, "What scientific idea is ready for retirement?" This collection of short essays provides answers from "175 of the world's most influential scientists, economists, artists, and philosophers" (according to the blurb on the back cover). I found it to be a mixed bag, as you might expect. A few were insightful. Several were interesting. Others were informative, obvious, uninspired, flawed, straw-man attacks, semantic rants, or (in one case) loony. Most, however (even the loony one) were, in some way, thought provoking. (Although, to be honest, my first thought after reading the loony one was 'What fairy tale universe is this guy calling in from?') These, of course, are my personal, subjective impressions. Your opinions show more may vary. Regardless, the collection does provide insights into what some of the top experts in fields ranging from physics to psychology are thinking about, including issues on which they agree and disagree. (I imagine there are some lively...discussions between physicists during breaks at conferences about String Theory). show less

Meh. This book is one that I should not have bought, but you know what they say about fools and money I guess. I really should have looked through it beforehand, but I was charmed by the title. What is even more aggravating is the fact that I was in the bookstore when I bought this and could have looked through the physical copy I was holding.

This book is a collection of essays with a common theme; "What Ideas should be shelved to aid progress?" With some of them it's almost like the author just needed a topic to write on so they could get published. Now a lot of them are educated people, I assume, since they list their credentials ahead of all of the essays, but I don't really think they understand what they are saying. Perhaps I am show more the one in the wrong.

As an example to illustrate my point, some people in the statistics section of the book want to do away with the average, the statistical deviation, and other things. Of course, this is all to stir up controversy since they say that they don't want to get rid of the idea per se, but rather some elements of the subject that aren't pertinent to their own fields. Sometimes they write only one page on the subject that they have and that is that. They say something terrible for about three paragraphs and they change over to another author. It's like each essay was left slightly unfinished.

Finally, they have a few cases where the subject is repeated. I am glad that two neuroscientists agree that the idea of Left Brain/ Right Brain should be retired, but do we need to hear from both of them?

The editor did his best, but this just wasn't an enjoyable collection. It certainly did stir up some controversy in my brain, just not the type that was intended. show less

This is the second book published Edge Foundation that I have read and just like the first one, I am not at all disappointed. This Idea Must Die summarizes answers from over 100 intelligentsia about the one prolific idea that needs to be retired in the name of progress.

And the answers are insightful. Things that one takes for granted and as factual need not be so; and this book points out those obsolete ideas. Brilliant, as always is with Edge!

A good book filled with interesting perspectives, "This Idea Must Die" shows a variety of viewpoints on a multitude of subjects. I enjoyed the fact that multiple individuals from different disciplines discussed the same ideas, as it gives a very well rounded commentary of scientifically controversial topics. The reader likely won't agree with each writer's viewpoint, but this forces them to consider their own views and explore for themselves many of the topics.

I love 'The Edge Question Series', but this one was a bit too much for me. Maybe next year...

The observation by Max Tegmark was best